Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

The Korea Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (대한기생충학·열대의학회)
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Detection Trend of Helminth Eggs in the Strata Soil Samples from Ancient Historic Places of Korea

  • Seo, Min (Department of Parasitology and Research Center for Mummy, College of Medicine, Dankook University) ;
  • Chai, Jong-Yil (Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Myeung Ju (Department of Anatomy, Dankook University) ;
  • Shim, Sang Yuk (Buyeo Cultural Heritage Center) ;
  • Ki, Ho Chul (Institute of Forensic Medicine, Seoul National University) ;
  • Shin, Dong Hoon (Bioanthropology and Paleopathology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy/Institute of Forensic Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2016.05.22
  • Accepted : 2016.10.04
  • Published : 2016.10.31
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Abstract

For several years, we have conducted a series of studies on the patterns of ancient parasitism prevailing in the soil of rural and urban areas of past Kingdom of Korea. Actually, during our survey of paleoparasitology in archaeological sites of Korean peninsula, numerous ancient parasite eggs were discovered in the samples from the city districts of Hansung (Joseon) and Buyeo (Baikje), the palace moat at Gyeongju (Silla), shell-midden site at Bonghwang-dong (Silla to Joseon), and the reservoir found in Hwawangsansung fortress (Silla). By the paleoparasitological studies, with respect to parasitism in the high-density populations of ancient towns and cities, we have managed to catch glimpses of the patterns prevalent therein: a serious parasitic contamination of the soil in ancient urban areas, but not in rural areas of the past. Our historical research also proposed the plausible mechanism of parasite infection very serious indeed among urban populations in Korean history. Although city dwelling doubtless has accrued significant benefits for people and populations with agriculture, it can be equally supposed that living in such highly populated areas might have facilitated the spread of parasite infection.

Keywords

References

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